BEN BEEVER MEMORIAL TRIBUTE PAIRS EVENT

"Hello everyone. My name is Vera, and as a former Bridge student of Ben's, I have been asked to say a FEW words about him and for those of you who know me, you can appreciate how difficult this is for me…

... because I have NEVER used 1 word when I can use 5!

But I promise to try to be brief!

I warmed to Ben from the minute we met. He was a gifted teacher with an easy laugh and the loveable knack of making students feel instantly at ease. In short, he made learning fun!

What else can I say...?

... where should I start! We all know there's endless kind words to say about Ben.

He was such a patient, understanding tutor with all of his beginners… particularly me!

I never felt silly or stupid, even when I know I asked him the "EXACT SAME QUESTION" 10 weeks in a row.

He never once mentioned it!

Yes, Ben was a man of MANY talents, as I soon discovered...

Which brings me nicely to my fondest memory of Ben, whom we all knew and loved, that I would like to share with you.

It was my Bridge Classes "Graduation Day". A really big event in my diary!

We had just completed Ben’s 10 week “Beginners Course” and were receiving our diplomas with a warm smile and hearty handshake from him, when he suddenly reached into his hold-all and started pulling out decks of cards.

I thought.... AWWW... What a sweetheart!

He’s going to present the whole class with a brand new deck of cards each, to celebrate our brilliant achievement! Perhaps with the club crest embossed on the backed them, something to be cherished?

NO!!! He started juggling with them!

As I said, a man of many talents.

I know that Ben would love us all to share our warmest memories of him and enjoy a giggle together, whilst we gather and play, in his Memorial Tribute, today.

And I would like to thank the Manchester Bridge Club and staff for generously organising this event, in his honour……..and, on behalf of the club, I thank you all for coming.

And Ben, if you are listening, I could really use some DIVINE "Supervised Play" today because I still can't remember the answer to that damn question!

Thank you."